Refuse container lid lock

Abstract

This invention relates to a catch or lock mechanism used between a refuse or garbage can and the lid therefor. A substantially U-shaped bracket has the inner curve between its legs slidingly engaged with the undersurface of the lid bead carried by the lower edge of the lid. This may be by a threaded screw engaging with one leg of the U-shaped bracket and extending between the legs thereof to thereby form a sleeve sliding engaging the lid bead. Also, the U-shaped bracket may be movably carried by the U-shaped bracket or the can lid by the use of magnetic means. The U-shaped bracket preferably has a longer inner leg which is urged by spring or magnetic means into engagement under the bead at the top of the refuse can. The other leg of the U-shaped bracket is shorter and preferably terminates in an outwardly and horizontally extending portion for finger engagement thereof for releasing the lid from the can.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination with a cylindrical refuse container having a cylindrical, vertical wall terminating in an upper, circular bead and a telescopically fitting and removable cover having a cylindrical, vertical cover terminating in a lower circular bead, a substantially U-shaped bracket having an inner curved wall surface slidingly interfitting the outer wall of the circular bead of the removable cover, having an inner leg, and having an outer leg extending outwardly and having its outer and portion substantially at right angles to said outer leg and functioning as a fingerengagable portion; means for maintaining said inner curved surface in detachable sliding engagement and in contact with said outer surface of said circular bead of the removable cover; and compression spring means, having one end portion thereof connected with said inner leg and having the other end portion thereof reacting against the vertical wall of the removable cover, urging the inner leg of the U-shaped bracket into engaging position with and below the bead of the refuse container. 
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for maintaining said inner curved surface in detachable sliding engagement with said outer surface of the circular bead of the removable cover comprises a screw threadedly engaging the outer leg, extending toward the inner leg of the U-shaped bracket, and slidingly contacting the bead of the container cover.